Tordue Salem
In an unusual, solemn and spirit-filled ocassion, ten priests of the Most High, yesterday took turns to anoint Hon. Emmanuel Jime to govern Benue State from May this year.
The governorship candidate of the All Progressives’ Congress(APC) took the priestly anointing along with his wife, Mrs. Comfort Jime, his running mate, Dr. Sam Ode, North Central leader of the APC, Sen. George Akume at the Immaculate Heart Cathederal, Ude-Nyiev District of Guma Local government.
The mass was heavy with House of Representatives aspirant for Makurdi/Guma, Hon. Utaan Terhide Conrad, House of Reps aspirant for Gwer East/Gwer West, Victor Ormin Torsar, Directors of the campaign and other dignitaries.
One of the senior priests, Adolphus Ikuruke, took the podium earlier to praise the governorship candidate for his humility, simplicity and love for people.
“I have know Jime very well; i have never seen him go about in the best of cars, nor have i seen him wear agbada or put up a mansion. He lives simply and is not accumulative”, he submitted.
The two-hour mass held for Jime by the Isherev district of the Ihyarev clan, was laced with periodic traditional dance processions to the altar.
The defection of over fifty PDP members to the APC followed after the church service. The defectors were received by Senator Akume, Hon. Jime, Dr. Ode, Eng. Utaan and other party leaders.
Earlier, the governorship candidate, his deputy and Sen. Akume were decorated with the traditional regalia, with full traditional rites and blessings to succeed and assume their respective offices.
Hon. Jime and Dr. Ode thanked the Isherev people for their support and blessings and promised to build roads and provide other infrastructure lacking the community.
Satiric songs rented the air, and a commotion ensued, when El-stuffy, a Tiv singer of great repute rendered his signature caustic song “Ior Kpem ooo” on Ortom’s failure to govern.
